LIVE | Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of education ministry; CJP withdraws protest
CJP requests all protesters to retreat, says govt has promised to provide in writing by Tuesday that no action will be taken against CJP or other protesters
In a huge victory for NEET protesters, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union education minister on Saturday (July 25), taking moral responsibility for the NEET question paper leak and the subsequent chaos that broke out in the shape of student's protests in Delhi's Jantar Mantar led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and educationist-activist Sonam Wangchuk, which spread like wildfire across the country.
As the protests intensified, the Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill to ensure stricter punishments — 10 years' jail for paper leaks, fine up to Rs 10 crore — hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement. The draft Bill was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Parliament House complex on Friday.
Also read: The latest developments LIVE
The Bill seeks an amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and proposes a minimum punishment of five years' imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks and/or a fine. It proposes a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore in case of organised paper leaks.
Dipke, Wangchuk’s message
As Opposition leaders hailed this “victory of youth power”, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged people not to make him a hero for Pradhan’s resignation. “Don’t make me a hero because of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The country has been ruined because of making one person a hero...”
Dipke also said Pradhan’s stepping down showed that if people decide against bowing down before the Narendra Modi government, they can take the “resignation of anyone”. He asked people to raise their voice, which he said would keep the rulers “in line”. “Today, they consider themselves as kings while they are there because of us,” Dipke said.
Also read: ‘Don’t make me a hero, country ruined by making one person a hero’: Dipke after Pradhan quits
Later, the CJP held another round of talks with the government over their other two demands, including a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of students who committed suicide in the wake of the NEET examination paper leak in May and an assurance that no legal measures would be taken against the CJP or any protester. The CJP withdrew its protest with immediate effect "in good faith" after the government agreed to meet all demands. The government has agreed to give it in writing on Tuesday.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving the Centre's written assurances, posted on X: “IT’S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY… direct democracy... straight from the streets. It’s a victory of peace, patience and perseverance. Congratulations CJP, Gen Z of the nation and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation. FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS.”
Follow live updates of CJP's protest in Delhi, here.
Live Updates
- 25 July 2026 3:37 PM IST
Pradhan’s resignation victory of youth power: Pawar
Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday described Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from his post over the NEET paper leak row as a “major victory of the youth power” in the country.
“The struggle and determination shown by the youth over 28 consecutive days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the NEET paper leak case is truly commendable,” Pawar said in a statement.
“In response to the insistent demand of the protesters, the Union Education Minister has finally resigned today. This fight, which was firmly against oppression without fear and forced the government to accept moral responsibility against injustice, is a symbol of the power of democracy. This is a major victory for the unity of the youth power in the country,” he said.
Pawar thanked MPs of the opposition parties for the way in which their leaders provided “moral and parliamentary support” to the youth of the country. “Democracy in the country has triumphed, and the credit for that undoubtedly goes to the young generation of the country,” Pawar, president of the NCP (SP), said.
- 25 July 2026 3:34 PM IST
'Don't make me a hero over Pradhan's exit', warns CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke
Cockroach Janta Party founding president Abhijeet Dipke urged supporters not to credit him as a hero for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. He warned against the dangers of hero worship, stating that elevating a single individual to such status has previously ruined the country.
- 25 July 2026 3:31 PM IST
Pradhan's exit just the beginning, Parliament must debate NEET: Supriya Sule
NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule congratulated students and Opposition leaders for forcing Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation through peaceful protests over the NEET-UG issue. She added that his exit must be followed by genuine accountability, sweeping educational reforms, and a full discussion on NEET in Parliament.
- 25 July 2026 3:24 PM IST
Student movement defeats govt's stubbornness, Modi must apologise: Kharge
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The echo of India's students has finally reached the doorstep of an arrogant regime. This is a victory for our crores of youth who took to the streets across the country to fix the education system. This is a victory of truth and a defeat of Modiji's stubbornness."
"This is a victory for all those families who lost their own blood, their children, because this government is corrupt. This is a victory for the united opposition, who raised their voice in favor of the students from the parliament to the streets."
"Now, it is Mod ji's turn to apologise to our young generation and to take strict action against those who ordered the use of batons, sticks, and pellet guns against them."
- 25 July 2026 3:20 PM IST
Protesters celebrate Pradhan's resignation as student movement claims victory
Protesters in Bengaluru celebrated following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a major triumph for student unity and democracy.
- 25 July 2026 3:12 PM IST
Won’t leave until all demands met in writing: CJP on upcoming talks
Cockroach Janta Party Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das stated that they had been called for talks at 3:30 pm. He asserted that they would not leave until all their demands were met and provided in writing, calling Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation a huge victory.
- 25 July 2026 3:08 PM IST
Govt likely to introduce bill to amend paper leak law in Parliament on July 27
A bill to amend The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which proposes to increase the jail term up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 10 crore for offences related to paper leaks, is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Monday.
According to the Bill circulated to members ahead of its introduction, individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.All investigations will have to be completed within two months, it says.
All states and UTs will be directed to set up fast-track courts, which will conduct hearings swiftly and complete the trial within three months of the filing of the chargesheet.
- 25 July 2026 3:06 PM IST
Pradhan's resignation a major victory for youth and democracy: Kejriwal
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the nation's youth, stating that their persistent struggle had successfully forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. He framed the resignation as a major triumph for democracy, noting that it restored the public's fading faith in the government's willingness to listen to the people's voice.
- 25 July 2026 3:00 PM IST
After Pradhan's resignation, CJP demands compensation and action against cops
Cockroach Janta Party Founding President Abhijeet Dipke declared that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation alone was insufficient, urging protesters to remain steadfast. He demanded one crore rupees in compensation for the families of students who died by suicide, alongside legal action against the police officers involved in the actions on July 20.
- 25 July 2026 2:54 PM IST
Pradhan’s resignation not enough; banning NEET is long-term solution: TN Minister
Tamil Nadu Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar stated that while Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was a welcome victory resulting from peaceful student protests, it was not the complete solution. He emphasised that states should have control over education and that the ultimate long-term solution lies in completely banning NEET.
